3-077-688 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Sketches in Burmah: buying ponies at the Shan Camp, Mandalay, 1890. The British in the Far East. 'Purchasing ponies is the scene represented in one of our correspondent's Sketches. The Shans bring in their fine sturdy ponies to Mandalay for sale. These ponies are kept in a large enclosure, where also the Shans themselves live, and which is known as the Shan Camp. When a Shan caravan arrives at Mandalay, those in want of ponies visit the camp, and make their purchases through an interpreter. Of course, the ponies are mostly wild and untrained, and strongly object to being ridden. Many amusing scenes occur in the efforts of would-be purchasers to try them. The unaccustomed rider is probably "pipped," or the animal kicks out, playfully scattering the admiring crowd in all directions. At last a pony is selected, but much palaver and haggling must go on before a bargain can he struck: for the Shans, like other Easterns, are great at a bargain. The price of these ponies ranges from 150 to 500 dollars, and even more. The Shan ponies are splendid animals for hard work, especially for hill work. [Our] Sketch shows an officer trying a pony'. From "Illustrated London News", 1890.